Tongue-support.



No. 666,6l4. Patented Jan. 22, 190i.

O. GARDNER &. J. L. MARTIN.

TONGUE SUPPORT.

(Application filed Mia- 27, 1899. Renewed .Dec. 29, 1900.)

2 Shanta-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

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TONGUE SUPPDRT.

(Application; 11106 May 27, 1899. Renewal! Dec. 29, 1900.) (No Model.) 2Sheets-Shut 2.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ORRIN GARDNER, OF EAST GROVELAND, AND JOHN L. MARTIN, OF CLARENCE, NEWYORK.

TONGUE-SUPPORT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 666,614, dated January22, 1901.

A li ti fil d May 27, 1899. Renewed December 29, 1900- Serial No.41,520. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ORRIN GARDNER, residing at East Groveland, in thecounty of Livingston, and JOHN L. MARTIN, residing at Clarence, in thecounty of Erie, State of New York, citizens of the United States, haveinvented a new and useful Tongue-Carrier, of which the following is aspecification.

Our invention relates to improvements in tongue-carriers for machinesused on farms.

Heretofore in tongue-carriers having a vertical shaft supported by awheel the shaft or rod was mounted either in a casting bolted to theside of the tongue or in plates bolted to the top and under side of thesame. The tongue was thus unavoidably weakened to the extent of theholes bored, and it was therefore liable to be broken, particularly fromthe twisting strain caused by turning corners. Farmers thereforedistrust such a carrier and often decline to purchase it or to give it atrial. We have found such tonguecarriers wanting in suitable means or inany means at all for adjustment to the variable positions of the tonguedependent upon the difiering sizes of teams and the variable verticaladjustments of the machine both in the field and on the road. Again, thetongues of certain machines are coupled so low that when cutting shortgrain no spring of suitable length can be used to take up the shockscaused by traversing the rough surfaces in fields. Furthermore, thedraft-bar, if any is used, operates at unsuitable angles with thevertical shaft when the tongue is elevated above a mean height and thelack of adjustment herein tends to prevent the free vertical play of theshaft in its bearings. As a consequence the use of the tongue-carrier isnot practical on the road or when the machine is trucked.

The primary objects of a tongue-carrier are to relieve horses of weight,to steady the tongue laterally, to steady the motion of the gearing ofthe machine, and thus conserve the same, and to enable the driver of aharvesting-machine to operate the tilting-lever with ease. These objectshave been partially attained in previous devices.

The objects of our invention, in addition to the above named, are toprovide a tongue-carrier of such construction, first, that the fullstrength of the tongue may be preserved; second, that without change oflength or set of spring it may be adjustably attached or clamped to thetongue to suit the varying elevations or depressions of the same; third,that'ample purchase on the vertical shaft may be secured, so as toreduce the twisting strain on the tongue when turning corners; fourth,that there shall be a plurality of adjustments for the pivotal end ofthe draft rod or bar to offset any shift in the elevation or depressionof the tongue; fifth, that one spring of suitable length may be used forall positions of the tongue; sixth, that time and labor may be saved andless skill may be required in attaching the improved device, and,seventh,

that it may be serviceably attached to a machine when on the road orwhen it is on trucks, as well as in the field.

We attain our objects by the construction illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of theimproved tongue-carrier clamped to the tongue; Fig. 2, a verticalsection of the same; Fig. 3, a rear elevation of the same when thebolster and twin shafts are used; Fig. 4:, a view of the clamp andhook-bolts; Fig. 5, a view of the substitute frame; Fig. 6, a view ofthe draft-rod.

Similar letters refer to like parts in the several views.

The frame or casting B is formed of two vertical side bars I) b, placed'edgewise to the tongue for strength and cOnnected by two cross-bars Vand U, the upper one having formed therein the eye S, Fig. 2, and thelower one the slot T. The vertical shaft or rod E is mounted in the saidcross-bars through the said eye and slot and is limited in downwardmovement by the detachable collar F, fastened at the upper end by theset-screw G. In place of the collar we reserve the option to use a nutand to thread the shaft or to perforate the shaft horizontally and toinsert a spring-cotter or a pin. The lower end of the shaft is beveledand inserted through a perforation in the crown J of the wheel-frame Kand riveted. Between the curved forks of the wheel-frame is journaledthe wheel L upon the axle-pin M, The wheel is led or guided by thedraft-bar I, whicinhav-i'n g for-m e'd there'- in the eye S at one end,is loosely sleeved, to-. gether with the spiral spring H, over the shaftE upon the crown of the wheel-frame. The

other end of the draft-bar is hinged or pivoted l upon the pivot-pin Rin the holder or guide P. The holder or casting is bolted to the tongueforward of the frame. It consists of a plate having two curved pendentwings or ears Q, connected by a web N. The said ears have a plurality ofhorizontal perforations or pivot-bearings 0, arranged (preferably,butnot necessarily, in a curve) in graduated vertical order for thepurpose of effecting s'u'itable adjustments to offset any shift in theelevation or depression of the tongue. It is not essential that thewings or cars are curved.

We reserve the right to make them of any dein the tongue and that the fnil-strength of the tongue is preserved; 'also, that a firm grip issecured on all sides of the tongue. The slots 15 1, in the clampsprovide for "adj'ustab'il ity t'o tongues unlike in thickness.

The slotted cross-bar U of the frame carrying the tongue rests upon thespiral spring H around the shaft. This spring both prevents thedraft-bar from sliding up the shaft and takes up all the jars of themachine. Any

desired length of spring may be chosen for any kind of machine, and, ifneed fu lfthe position of the cross-bar may be changed or the frame maybe lengthened; but the improved device enables us to use'a framea'nd aspring of certain lengths and coverany required range of adj ustmentforany self-binder. By loosen ing the clamps the tongue may be raised orlowered and be reclamped at any desired point of vertical adjustment.

The shaft rises and falls in its bearings owing to alternate springcompression and etpansio'n, and this movement must be free. If we "didnot use the draft-bar, the shaft'would bind or lock. If we had no slot Tinthe cross-- bar U, it would, nevertheless, do thesame, be-

cause as the draft-bar and the tongue app'roach to and recede from eachother the vertical shaft oscillates in a small-arc longitudinally withthe tongue.

Any shift of the tongue from a low to a medium or a high positionchanges the angle of the draftbar with the shaft to one more acute,which causes the shaft toosci-liate farther to and fro from a verticalposition, thus requiring a longer slot in the cross-bar U and tending tobind or lock. Therefore in order By these to offset any shift of thetongue-in elevation or depression we have constructed the holderor'guide P, having the choice of several vertical adjustments. Thelowermost pivot-bearings in the same enable us to use the tongueca-rrierwhen the machine is loaded on trucks for transportation. 'Othertongue-carriers fail herein for want of adaptation.

When turning corners, the draft-bar does not draw. ,1 The tongue pullsthe carrier laterally, and as the latter is a rotating caster it tendsto roll backward, impelled by the the weight thereon. The-eifecton thetongue is a twisting strain. If the hearings in which the shaft is m'ounteda'r'e close together--abou t the thickness of the tongue, as inprevious devices-the tongue has only a short purchase on the shaft tomaintain it vertical when the wheel rotates to a right angle with thetongue. Hence a twisto'n the tongue is marked. In

our arrangement the points of hearing are located in the upper and lowercross-bars of the frame and afford a long pu rchase on the shaft. If wewere to form the eye 8 in the lower cross-bar of the framean d the slotT in the u pper cross-bar, the fulcrum on which the shaft acts would beshifted without detriment. We claim the option to make the change.

a We do not confine ourselves to the form of the frameshow n in Fig. 1.In Fig. 5 is shown a substitute or equivalent frame or casting. In thisthe vertical side bars "19 b are doubled at both ends for the purpose ofproducing narrow vertical slots W W, through which I maybe insertedordinary headed bolts, which when furnished with washers would answerthe purpose of 'hook bolt s. In adjusting the tongue up ordown the boltswould slide along in both slots. In this frame the cross-bar U,containing the slot T, is pieced above, but at some distance below thetop, and the crossbar V, .con-tain i-ng'the eye 8-, below. The doublesi'de ba'rs 'hb are bent opposite the cross-bar U to suit the slot T, inwhich the shaft vibrates to and fro.

It is not essential that we use two clamps and four bolts. We candispense with one double side bar band the included slot by making theother stronger-and usi-n g but one heavier clamp and two heavier bolts.We may employ th'i'ssubstitute frame inverted. We do not limit ourselvesto theconstructi o'n described-yin which the wheel is 'led at the sideof the tongue. Itis desirable to balance the weight of the tonguecentral-1y over the wheel, particularly when the tongue is wide and theweight thereon unusually heavy. In 3is shown the arrangement for guidingthe wheel under the tongue. The main vertical shaft E is cut short,threaded at the end, and inserted through thehub yof the bolster X andconfined by a nut Z. The bolster is provided with a slot at bothends, bywhich 'adjustmentcan made to tongues unlike in width and through whichthe twin vertical shafts 'e e are inserted. The lower end of each shaftis threaded to receive the IIO nuts Z, which secure it to the bolster.No clamps are used, as two frames, preferably of the form shown in Fig.5, are required to mount the twin shafts, and the tongue A is heldbetween them by the bolts d. The upper ends of the twin shafts arethreaded to receive the nuts ff, or a collar similar to the collar F maybe used to limit the downward movement. The cross-bar V, Fig. 5, restsupon the spiral spring it around each shaft.

We do not confine ourselves to the draft-bar I for guiding the wheel. InFig. 6 is shown a draft-rod made of a single rod bent double to producetwo parallel arms and having these arms spread at the bend made indoubling to form the eye S and having the ends of each arm bent to formthe pivot-eyes S Having thus described our invention, we claim asnew- 1. In a tongue-carrier, the combination, of an upright frame orcasting adapted to have a tongue clamped or bound at any desired heightthereto, seated on a spring, supported by a caster-wheel, and havingloosely mounted therein a vertical shaft for a connection with saidwheel, with the tongue having thereon a holder or casting to which isadjustably coupled or pivoted a draw-bar leading the said caster-wheel,and clamped or bound to said frame in such manner that the tongue may beshifted vertically and may be supported at any altitude within thelimits of the vertical extension of the frame, substantially as setforth.

2. In a tongue-carrier, the combination, of an upright frame or castingadapted to have a tongue clamped at any desired height thereto, seatedon a spring, supported byacasterwheel, and having loosely mountedtherein the vertical shaft of said wheel, with the tongue clamped orbound to said frame in such manner that the tongue may be shiftedvertically and may be supported at any altitude within the limits of thevertical extension of the frame, substantially as set forth.

3. In a tongue-carrier, an upright frame or casting consisting ofvertical or approximately vertical side bars connected by two cross-barscontaining respectively an eye and a slotin which the vertical shaft ofa casterwheel may be mounted, and adapted to have a tongue clamped orbound thereto in such manner that the tongue may be shifted ver-.

tically and may be supported at any altitude within the limits of thevertical extension of the frame, substantially as set forth.

4. In a tongue-carrier, the combination, of

the upright frame or casting B, adapted to have the tongue clamped atany desired height thereto, and having loosely mounted therein theVertical shaft E, having a wheel fork or frame bearing a wheel attachedthereto and provided with a collar and with a spiral spring on which toseat the frame, with the tongue having thereon the holder P, containinga plurality of vertically-arranged perforations,

to which is pivoted at one end the draw-bar 1, leading at the other endthe said wheel by the said shaft inserted through the eye S, in the bar,and clamped or bound to the said frame by means of the clamps C O, incombination with suitable bolts whereby the tongue may be shiftedvertically and may be supported at any altitude within the limits of thevertical extension of the frame, substantially as described and for thepurposes set forth.

5. In a tongue-carrier, the upright frame or casting B, consisting oftwo vertical side bars connected by two cross-bars having respectivelyan eye and a slot in the upper and the lower bar in which the verticalshaft of a caster-wheel may be loosely mounted, and adapted to have thetongue clamped or bound thereto by means of the clamps O O, incombination with the bolts D D, at any desired height within the limitsof the vertical extension of the frame, substantially as described.

6. In atongue-carrier,secured to the tongue, the holder P, consisting ofa plate having two parallel pendent wings or ears connected by a web,the said ears having a series of horizontal perforations or pivotbearings arranged in graduated vertical order for the purpose ofpivoting thereto, at suitable angles and at such points as will offsetelevations and depressions in the adjustment of the tongue, the draftrod or bar leadinga casterwheel, substantially as described.

7. In a tongue-carrier, the combination, with the shaft E, having awheel-frame hearing a wheel attached thereto, of the bolster X, having ahub at the middle in which said shaft is loosely mounted and havingmounted in a perforation or slot at each end a vertical shaft providedwith a spiral spring for suit able connections with the upright framesembracing the tongue,substantially as described and for the purpose setforth.

ORRIN GARDNER. JOHN L. MARTIN.

Witnesses:

EDWARD P. OoGUE, WM. H. HARRISON.

